Preterm labor occurs in or before your 37th week of pregnancy. While everyone is anxious for the baby to arrive, early birth can possibly cause problems for the baby such as impaired brain function and respiratory and digestive trouble. The...
If you're in the third trimester of your pregnancy, you are probably getting more and more anxious about the big delivery day. After the 38th week of your pregnancy, your baby could come at any time, even if you are still a few weeks from your due...
Labor, otherwise known as childbirth or parturition, is the three-part period of gestation involving the birth of one or multiple infants. You can choose to undergo labor in one of several ways, including a natural birth at home, water birthing or...
During a healthy pregnancy, the placenta--an organ that develops within the uterus--provides oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the developing fetus. Placenta previa occurs if the placenta becomes abnormally implanted at the base of the...
It may be difficult to decide which pregnancy symptoms you should bring to the attention of your doctor, because there are so many different symptoms that a woman may experience during the nine months of pregnancy. However, if you encounter any of...
Your wife is miserable and it's a safe bet that you are as well. These past nine months have been full of ups, downs and everything in-between. All that is left is the happy moment when she looks you in the eye and says "It's time." Although labor...
In your first trimester you can attend regular yoga classes, as long as your care provider gives you the OK and you let your yoga instructor know you're pregnant. Your instructor will want you to take prenatal yoga precautions. Of course, if you...
Every pregnancy experience is different. Some changes in pregnancy signal that labor is imminent, while others only bring about false expectations. Epigee.org explains that it is important to review potential signs of labor in order to recognize...
A "chest cough" is a type of cough in which congestion is present in the lungs. Pregnancy can be a state of decreased immune function and mothers-to-be are at risk for a number of infections. The worst of these is pneumonia, which can be...
You have spent the last nine months preparing for the time that you would go into labor. Now that you are in the last stage of your pregnancy, it is important to know what to expect as well as when it's time to call your doctor and head to the...
An estimated 8 percent to 10 percent of all babies are born prematurely, according to Medline Plus. Referring to babies who are born before the 37th week of pregnancy, premature babies are characterized by lower birth weights and organs that may...
You have been anticipating the arrival of your new little one for nine months, and now are starting to feel anxious about the upcoming labor and delivery. If you are like most first-time expectant moms, you are probably wondering what to expect,...
Near the end of pregnancy, women may have periodic mild contractions that cause discomfort, particularly in the back, abdomen and legs. Emotional support, warm baths, rest, extra fluids and moderate exercise may help. This pre-labor, or false...
The traditional definition of true labor is the onset of regular contractions that prepare the uterus to deliver the fetus. But there are many signs and symptoms that can precede regular contractions.
It can be frightening to hear your pediatrician say that your child has a weak pulse, but there are many common causes for this symptom, including hormonal and nutrient imbalances and overexposure to some drugs and toxins. Unusual causes include...
Pregnancy causes your body to go through many changes. Tissue upholding your uterus stretches, which has the ability to cause sharp, shooting pains on either side of your stomach that venture down your thigh, into your leg, according to Cleveland...
While most pregnancies last 40 to 42 weeks, as you approach your 38th week of pregnancy, most obstetricians won't stop you if you go into labor. But for some women it can be hard to identify if they are actually in labor. Despite what you see on...
Lead poisoning is caused by an accumulation of lead in the body, even in small amounts. Large concentrations of lead in the body can be fatal. Lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust are the primary causes of lead poisoning in children....
At some point during pregnancy, your breasts will begin producing colostrum. Colostrum is a thick, yellowish liquid that will serve as the first food your baby will need, before your milk comes in. Some women will not notice colostrum until after...
As a pregnant woman's body prepares for labor, many changes occur internally to ensure that her baby shifts into the proper position. Unborn babies descend into the pelvis in preparation for labor and delivery, which can cause their mothers to...
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes the bones to lose density, and therefore strength. When bones lose density, they are more likely to fracture. While this is a painful condition, it is not the only complication that can develop from...
Progesterone is integral to a healthy pregnancy. According to the website Test Country, a health and drug information center, progesterone increases the chance of pregnancy by increasing a woman's body temperature and increasing vaginal mucus....
Many disorders can cause stomach tightening and pressure with backache, from constipation to labor. If you experience these symptoms and you're male, you can at least rule out labor. For any sexually active woman of childbearing age, labor is...
The typical pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, but delivery that occurs between 20 and 37 weeks is considered preterm. Preterm or premature labor and delivery can occur due to many different causes, and your doctor will likely assess your risk...
Every woman encounters labor differently. Just as no two pregnancies are exactly alike, no two labor experiences will be the same either. Experienced mothers can become familiar with the general signs and symptoms of labor, while new mothers may...
The roots and underground stems of the black cohosh have been used as an herbal remedy for headaches, bronchitis, diarrhea, labor induction and menopause symptoms. The safe dose of black cohosh varies according to the type and purpose it is used...
Croup, the common cold and chronic asthma are among the childhood illnesses and medical conditions that can cause your little one to develop labored breathing. Breathing trouble can be very scary for both parents and child, but in some cases can...
The traditional definition of true labor is the onset of regular contractions, which prepare the uterus to deliver the fetus. For most pregnancies, this occurs between 38 and 42 weeks of gestation. What truly sets preterm labor apart from...
Endometritis is inflammation of the inner lining of the uterus that can result from a sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, but most often occurs after a miscarriage or childbirth involving prolonged labor or a cesarean...
